Bentley: We were down to the bare bones

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley admitted parts of his side “virtually picked themselves” as he was without several key players for the FA Cup first round replay win at Rochdale on Tuesday night.

The Shrimps were missing strikers Jack Redshaw and Jordan Burrow through injury with Richard Brodie ineligible due to the terms of his loan deal.

That meant a substitutes bench full of the squad’s younger players and a rare start for Izak Reid.

“We’re down to bare bones,” said Bentley.

“Just look at the bench today with all the young lads involved it’s a great experience for them.

“Look at Chris Doyle involved in the FA Cup at 17, it’s the greatest cup competition in the world.

“And there’s James Short, Dan Parkinson, Joe McGee all the young lads. Tonight will do them no harm.

“The front three virtually picked itself today. Izak Reid’s come in from the cold and I thought he worked hard and did well, Kev (Ellison) is Kev and Lewis (Alessandra) showed glimpses of what he’s capable of again.

“And credit to them we’ve defended right from the front, the midfield was solid, the back four was solid and the keeper did well so I’m really pleased.”